It's Just Hair

So lately everybody and their cousin seems to be on about natural hair. If you're part on the blog world (in fact even if you aren’t)  you’ll have noticed the many many many...many articles, websites and fan pages dedicated to natural hair. If you’re a natural like me chances are you love it and hope this “trend” carries on for as long as society/pop culture/ the powers that be can stomach it.  If you’re not a natural haired girl I suspect you’re sick of it. Us naturals have a way of shoving our less-than-modest and sometimes damn near militant opinions of girls who rock weaves, perms and/or relaxed hair in everybody’s face.  Then again you may not care either way. Hair is just hair right?

No matter which category you fall into you must be amazed but how much of a “thing” natural hair has become. I can’t speak for anybody else but my hair journey turned out to have very little to do with hair and more to do with self understanding and self acceptance. Like most African kids my love affair with the creamy crack started fairly young. I was convinced (no fault of my mother) that my kinky African hair was unmanageable and must be straightened. This love affair continued on and off until my first year of Uni. My first roommate had long natural hair. To be honest besides one random cousin we all assumed was low-key adopted or something, I had ever met anyone with long beautiful 100% natural hair. I saw it on TV but didn’t personally know any of those people so I simply didn’t think it was possible for people like me to grow long hair. After lusting over my roomies hair for some months, I decided to give it a try. It wasn’t like I would be giving much up anyway. My dad has awesome hair’ I started to wonder if maybe under the layers of relaxer I did too.

I did my first big chop in December 2008. Then again in December 2009 and most recently January 1^st 2016. On that cliché “new year-new me” tip. Each BC was its own adventure. The first was such a big deal, I hadn’t been natural in almost a decade and it was the start of my experimentation season. Different hair, different outfits, throw in a few piercings and I was your typical uni-chick trying to figure out who she was.

The second was a necessity; severe heat damage due to a love affair with hot ironing. This phase lasted the longest and I guess this is when I first really learnt how to take care of my hair and how big a deal having natural hair is sometimes. In a world that subliminally tells you hair should be straight, your nose narrow and your skin light. Choosing to be the opposite is kinda an achievement.  

My third BC was just me itching for something new and coming full circle. Hair is just hair. It goes back. So chill out and do you boo. Rock that weave, get that perm and if it makes you happy dye it suicide-squad-joker green. Don’t let these hair Nazis (is that PC?) kill your vibe.

Having said all that here is a picture of me giving you as much "poised and mature" as I can muster on any given day. FYI The squinty eyes were on purpose. I think they give a "come hither" look.

 Don't you agree? 

Me

Luwi...

An ode to Maun

I miss home. Some days more than others and while Lusaka is home now my heart will always belong to Maun.

Leaving Maun and Botswana was such a big deal for me. I grew up in an awesome and not so little village. It helped mould me into the awesome and "humble" human I am today.  A lot of who I am; views on Africa, life and especially what it's like to be foreign or different stemmed from growing up in this amazing place. Its great place to grow up, lots of adventure and fun things to do, lots of crazy stories. So this post is an ode to Maun and what makes it so fatalistically unique. 

Consider this my personal guide to Maun

Picture: I stole from the Internets

1. Livestock trump humans

This will be one of the first things you notice. Goats, Cows and especially Donkeys. Do not be alarmed, they are friendly and just want food and water. Prepare to stop regularly for livestock when driving, particularly at pedestrian crossing often frequented by goats. Also prepare to want to punch a Donkey in the face. They are stubborn and are best treated with respect, its not like you have much of a choice anyway.

2.Everyone will talk to you

Yes everyone. The taxi driver, The random person next you in the taxi, the random person next to you in the grocery store. Note this does not count if you’re white, it may happen but it’s not guaranteed. Maun people are friendly and talking to strangers seems to be part of the experience. Small communities are like that I guess. 

3.Weird Tourists

There are two types of tourist. The Ultra-rich ones that fly straight from their mansions to the Okavango delta, via a few airports and such. You won’t interact with many of these but its good to know they exist. The second kind is the more common kind. The backpacker often travelling through Africa with friends as some kind of “life experience”.  They love third world countries, saving poor Africans and partying in the process ( the two are not mutually exclusive you know). They may or may not shower regularly, they may or may not think that shoes are necessary. They will be a fun bunch though.

4.Even Weirder fashion

Pretty sure the  Marokara-movement started in Maun. If you’re wondering what is, join us, we’re all wondering. It’s basically a gang or clique of men who are really into heavy metal, but dress like cowboys except in all black leather. Down to the stirrups or their boots. It’s a mish-mash of cultures, Heavy Metal meets Cowboy in Africa. Needless to say It’s fun to watch, they’re pretty big on exhibitionism.

5. The Juxtaposition. Yes big word. So far you may have the idea that Maun is a rural african village. It is not. We can give you KFC and Nandos (because chicken comes first). Fast internet,  Woolworths, direct flights to Jorburg and Cape Town, Fashion, good food and coz you know you love to be one with nature boat cruises and flights over the delta. Don't get it twisted Maun caters to all your needs.

My favourite place in Maun

Before this starts to sound like a Botswana Tourism Board Plug Imma leave it right there. Check it Maun. Its lovely. You'll wanna go back, I know I do. 

Luwi 

All The Single Ladies

Before I get started I feel it’s necessary to write a disclaimer. I really don’t want to be writing about what I’m about to write about.  Honestly I would willingly write a four page essay on the war in Syria,Zambian Elections, How Pedal-Pushers need to become a thing again.… you name it.  I would rather write on gender equality in Politics or how the Olympics are coming up again and I didn’t see it coming. I could keep going but I think you get the point. I’m about to write about singleness and waiting (yes yet another blogger). Believe me, I am fully aware this topic has been talked  to death but lately I have had this nagging feelings that tends to only go away when I put pen to paper (finger to keyboard) and so here we are. 

If you are a woman 25 and older you can relate to the constant contradictory comments about your singleness/how lucky you are to still have you freedom, waiting for the right guy/not being too picky, being patient/your eggs are dying one by one. Everyone and their cousin has an opinion of your lack a significant other and however well meaning, 99% of it isn’t going to help you. Hard truth. They mean well… but so did Hitler (I’ve never been one to understate things).

It’s a lot easier to listen to someone who waited and reached their goal. Nobody wants to listen to someone who’s waited and is still waiting. It’s like taking financial advice from a poor person. But something I’ve realised is that good advice is GOOD ADVICE, even a dead clock is right twice a day (some old person at a school I went to once said).  So though I may be a dead clock in this respect, I am right! I think…..

As a single woman I know all too well the struggle to remain faithful to your goal. By goal I don’t mean finding “bae”, I mean the ultimate goal happiness. Most of us talk a good game but the reality is we’re not ready to accept the fact that we may be single for a while yet, we maybe single for the rest of our lives. I know it’s not a pleasant thing to imagine, especially if you really want a companion, but something keeps popping up in my head. If you can’t be happy alone, you will not be happy with someone else. So I’m challenging myself and every single girl I know to be happy, in the moment, just as she is. Not waiting for anything or anyone to “complete you”… lets see how far the pursuit of that happiness (see what I did there) takes you and if you’ll still be pining for a partner afterwards. 

Let’s do everything we want to do, be as awesome as we can be and then some… conquer the world… conquer love and peace and happiness and then see if we’re still dying to be someone’s someone. 

Makgarebe Presents ELESKAY My City

First quarter done and I can safely say my motto for this year is “big tings a gwan”…. In case you don't know what that means, because unlike me you don't secretly harbour fantasies of coming back as a Jamaican in a future life, it means big things are happening.

I wasn't kidding in that last post about our delusions of grandeur. This year is about making big things happen, especially with the blog  (now now before you protest, remember quality not quantity). The start of this will be a new chapter in the Makgarebe story. We're taking on a project we've been passionate about since day one, representing young Africans with big dreams. Dreams are contagious ya'll.

First, in what will hopefully be a long line, is someone I consider a testament to the everyday hustle. I interviewed a near and dear friend of mine LUNDOKA NIKKI UNENE known to many as NICK to talk about his business and a project that I am crazy passionate about.

 And so Makgarebe presents ELESKAY MY CITY, an Urban Clothing Brand dedicated to putting Lusaka and Zambia on the map for all the right reasons. This brand has slowly been garnering attention on the local youth scene and we wanted to sit down with the founder and see how this all came about. where his head was at when he started the project and hopefully shed a bit of light on how everyday people become moguls in the making. just remember, when he's rich and famous, you saw him here first!

The Man Himself, NICK

Les Interview

What is ELESKAY MY CITY ?

ELESKAY is an urban clothing brand which seeks to represent Zambia's vibrant urban youth culture. We're trying to change the world's perception of Zambian youth, its fashion and culture, things that we are not really known for. We're trying to get the youth to be proud of where they're from and the “rep” the things they love about their country and the city Lusaka.

Where did ELESKAY come from, is it something you've always been interested in ?

Well I've been a do-it-yourself, MacGyver-Graphic designer for some time now and started by playing around with various ideas. When I moved from Botswana to Lusaka I found the vibe was different; People were more lively, had a serious love for technology and there was just an energy I hadn't seen before in Bots. I liked and appreciated it but realised that when I was living in Bots I didn't really hear much about that side of Lusaka, Zambia or the young people here. And thought why not come up with a brand that celebrated LSK, as much as ENYCE and so it was born.

What was your perception of Zambia before you moved back here ?

That our economy isn't doing so well. Also Zambian art and music isn't really heard about in foreign countries and most of what you do hear is focused on the older generation but when you actually get here you see rappers, skate boarders and designers. Zambia seemed kind of backward.

What do you think is the reason so little is said about Zambia's youth culture internationally?

Marketing, Zambians don't market themselves as much as they could. Secondly perception. We buy a lot into what comes from outside. There's a lot of love in Zambia for South Africa and African things. We're all African and that's great but we tend to promote other people over ourselves. Hopefully in 5 to 10 years that can change. Zambians can propagate and promote what they have to offer more.

So what exactly is ELESKAY MY CITY's goal ?

A lot of local brands do not expand the way they should or get the exposure they should. Some of that is because our business standards are low and our pride in local products isn't as strong as it could be. Our brand seeks to change all of that. We will feel we have achieved our goals when local clothing brands (no just ELESKAY) are sold in major retail stores alongside international brands and can be marketed and sold on the same level.

Someone might think you're simply trying to take what America and South Africa have done for themselves and tweak it a bit. What would you say to that ?

The way I see it everyone has their own personal goals but there will always be big players in the game. In order to achieve success you've got to aim to play at that level, so they're more of reference point than someone we're trying to imitate.

How has your past, particularly growing up in a foreign country helped you get to this point ?

Growing up in foreign country definitely gives you a different perspective on things. In Botswana being a foreigner is a very big deal and it makes you question who you are. In contrast Zambians don't really seem to care where you from. You can't help but compare the two and pick the best of both worlds. Becoming someone who is very patriotic but has a love for all people.

After all we are all African in the end. Batswana have definitely impacted their level of pride on me changing the way I do business.

So how can I or anyone else get involved in the movement (besides buying a T-Shirt) ?

It's a very practical thing. Taking pride in your country starts with something as simple as not littering. You have to believe in the vision, take ownership of your home. Stop waiting for someone to come and change things, in the end it's our home and our story. Buy local, think local, promote your 

country.

FIN!

I Couldn't have said it better myself.  If you're interested in being part of the movement or simply want to rock a cool T check their Facebook and Instagram to make direct orders

Hope to ya'll rocking your ELESKAY Tee's soon. In case you're wondering I already have one.